On Monday, the White House revealed a new 50% tariff on a wide variety of imports from Canada, intensifying an ongoing trade conflict with one of the United States’ biggest trading partners.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that these tariffs would affect around $20 billion worth of goods from Canada, including items like hockey sticks, wine, and cement. They are set to start on August 19, which is 30 days after US President Donald Trump signed the proclamation.
The White House described this action as a reaction to what it called Canada’s “discriminatory, unequal, and unreasonable tariff scheme” and aims to create better conditions for exporting US-made cars.
These tariffs represent the latest increase in a long-standing trade dispute between the two countries. Trump has consistently accused Canada and other trading partners of having unfair trade practices with the United States and has made tariffs a key part of his trade strategy for his second term. In response, Canada argues that these tariffs breach their free trade agreement.
This announcement follows a ruling by the US Supreme Court that prevented Trump from using emergency powers to impose extensive tariffs on imports from various nations, pushing his administration to look for other legal options. Trump had also previously threatened tariffs that didn’t end up being enforced.
In response to the announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement on X that Canada “stands ready to engage intensively to address outstanding issues with the U. S. to the mutual benefit of our citizens.” He added that Canada would take necessary measures to strengthen its position domestically.
Just last week, Trump warned Canada about increasing tariffs due to smoke from wildfires affecting air quality in the northeastern United States. He mentioned that this air pollution created costs for the country that should be factored into existing tariffs on Canadian imports.
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